Canada Post Strike Alert - Provincial Offences Court

The public is still responsible for the payment of traffic fines on set due dates.

 

The following methods of payment are available:

  • In-person at any Provincial Offences office in the province of Ontario
  • Online by visiting Hastings County website to pay your provincial fines with paytickets.ca (a service fee will apply)

Residents are also encouraged to consider:

  • Delivering time-sensitive materials to the court in person
  • Using courier or a professional process server
  • Using the online portal on Hastings County website to request an Early Resolution or Trial
  • If you have already mailed documents or forms to the court by regular mail, the court may not be able to complete your request until the interruption ends
  • Please contact our office at 613-966-0331 extension 3400 if you have any questions
Hastings County

Provincial Offences

Hastings County preserves the integrity of the Ontario Court of Justice and provides fair service to all. 

 

On June 19th, 2000, the Corporation of the County of Hastings accepted the transfer and responsibility of administrative duties from the Province of Ontario, Ministry of the Attorney General. This included Part I prosecution of the Provincial Offences Act. This transfer was part of the Province’s strategy to realign provincial and municipal roles in the delivery of public services. An additional transfer of service took place on January 4, 2022, when the Corporation of the County of Hastings accepted the responsibility of prosecution of Part III matters of the Provincial Offences Act. 


The Provincial Offences Act (POA) is a procedural law for administering and prosecuting provincial offences, including offences created under municipal by-law and minor federal offences designated as contraventions. The POA provisions govern all aspects, from serving notices to a defendant to conducting trials. Provincial offences are non-criminal charges, primarily issued by the police, and include but are not limited to offences found in the following Acts: 

  • Highway Traffic Act: offences such as speeding, careless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt assembly
  • Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act: offences such as failing to surrender an insurance card or possessing an invalid insurance card
  • Liquor Licence Act: offences such as being intoxicated in a public space, selling alcohol to a minor
  • Trespass to Property Act: offences such as entering premises when entry is prohibited, failing to leave premises as directed to do so

The Justice of the Peace is responsible for the proceedings of provincial offences matters and the conduct of these proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice. The Provincial Offences office is responsible for providing administrative services, court support, prosecution of offences found in Part I and Part III of the Provincial Offences Act, enforcement, and collections. 

Guiding principles of the Provincial Offences Act are to respect and adhere to judicial independence, maintain public confidence in the judicial system, affirm and uphold fairness and natural justice, and ensure that the courts are separate from prosecution and enforcement and continue to operate independently and free from political intervention. 

Our mission statement is to preserve and maintain the integrity of the Ontario Court of Justice and its POA administrative processes by ensuring the accessibility of a fair justice system without prejudice or compromise, and to provide excellent service to stakeholders utilizing the judicial system within Hastings County. 

Did you know fine payments can be paid online with a credit card? Click here to access now.

 

Please note: This applies only to tickets issued within the Hastings County court jurisdictions. 

Access to
Courts Administration

If you have moved since your last court appearance, please email here to provide your email, phone number, and current mailing address so that you do not miss important information.

Parking Tickets: The Provincial Offences Court does not accept payment for City of Belleville parking fines dated after January 1, 1994. Parking tickets dated after that date are paid at Belleville City Hall located at 169 Front Street, Belleville. If you have any questions about a City of Belleville parking ticket, please call 613-967-3200. 


The Provincial Offences Court does accept payment for parking fines for the City of Quinte West after 75 days from the date of offence. If your parking ticket has resulted in a plate denial, then you must make your payment at the Service Ontario located at Century Place, 199 Front Street, Belleville. 

Zoom us by clicking here

OR call in by phone toll-free to 1-855-703-8985

Meeting ID: 892 1856 1631
Passcode: 839565

For early resolution matters scheduled before the court, please follow the instructions on your court notice.

Services

If you receive a summons, you or your agent or counsel must appear in court on the date and time specified. Should you not appear, a trial date may be scheduled to proceed in your absence or a warrant may be issued for your arrest. If you are convicted, you could be sentenced to jail depending on the offence. Court costs and the victim fine surcharge will apply. Should you appear in court, a trial may proceed, or you or the prosecutor may ask the court to adjourn your case to a future date. The court may grant or refuse such a request.  
 

  • Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases (Click here for the French version): general information about the court process for provincial offences cases
  • Early Resolution: information about processes inside and outside of the courtroom, how to reschedule an Early Resolution appointment, and the possible conviction should you fail to attend your meetings with the prosecutor
  • Guide to Appeals in Provincial Offences Cases: general information about the court process for appeals under the Provincial Offences Act. Note that it does not cover every circumstance that might arise in your case 
  • Record Suspension for Possession of Cannabis: The Parole Board of Canada has established a streamlined application, with no application fee or wait time, for people with criminal records for simple possession of cannabis. This guide is a step-by-step instruction manual and includes the necessary application forms 

  • Online Payments: With a credit card through our online payment portal. This service applies only to tickets issued within the County of Hastings court jurisdiction. 
  • By Interac E-Transfer: Hastings County Provincial Offences has expanded its payment options to include e-transfers in an effort to reduce the need for you to attend in-person at the court office. Please note that this service only applies to tickets issued within the County of Hastings Court jurisdiction. To exercise this payment option for a recently issued ticket, select Option 1 - Plea of Guilty: Voluntary. Out-of-court payment of the fine must be made within 15 days of the service date, and you are required to pay the total payable indicated on the reverse of your offense notice. If a conviction has been registered against you, you are to pay the total payable within the time allowed by the Justice of the Peace. The total payable can be obtained from your Notice of Fine and Due Date or you may visit www.ontario.ca/ticketsandfines to obtain the total amount due.
  • Instructions for E-Transfer: It is necessary to create a contact prior to sending payment. The contact name should be listed as Hastings County POA with the following email: e-transferpoa@hastingscounty.com. 
    When e-transferring funds, the following details must be included in your e-transfer payment message field: 
    • The 4 digit ICON code and the 8-digit offence number, as seen in this example or  
    • The 19 digit offence number for Automated Speed Enforcement  infractions, as seen in this example or 
    • The Offence Number provided on the Notice of Fine and Due Date
    • The total payable for your fine 
    • Your full name and date of birth in yyyy/mm/dd format
    • Your email address and phone number
  •  As the sender, you will receive an automatic e-transfer withdrawal notification. This will be your payment receipt. It is recommended you keep record of your payment.
  • Failure to include the above details in your e-transfer message field may result in a declined payment or a delay in payment processing. Should the fine go past due or into default, an administrative fee will be added and steps will be taken to enforce your defaulted fine. For example, information may be provided to a consumer-reporting agency and, for certain offences including speeding, your driver’s licence may be suspended. 
  • Processing time may take up to 3 days. We ask that you monitor your email and ensure your fine is paid in advance of the due date. 
  • Telephone: Dial 613-966-0331 and use your Visa or Mastercard credit card to make your payment. A receipt will not be issued for this payment method. An authorization number will be verbally provided to confirm your payment. 
  • Mail: Send a cheque or money order, Visa or Mastercard number to the address indicated on the payment notice. Please include the fine number when mailing payment. It is your responsibility to ensure payment is received prior to the fine due date. 
  • In-Person: Located at the Provincial Offences office, 235 Pinnacle Street, 3rd Floor, Room 304, Belleville, Ontario K8N 3A9, or at any other Provincial Offences office in Ontario. Payments can be accepted by debit card, cash, Visa, Mastercard, cheque, or money order. 

To serve you better, many POA services are now available online. You can access the below services easily, using the location code and offence number that is printed on your ticket or notice. If you have been issued a summons (an order to appear in front of a Justice of the Peace), you will also need your case number. For some services, you will be required to provide additional contact information. 


If you do not have this information, or you have lost your ticket, contact the court office and speak with a court representative. 

  • Online Payment Portal: Fine payment with a credit card through our payment portal. Applies only to tickets issued within the Hastings County court jurisdictions. 
  • Request for Early Resolution or Meeting with Prosecutor: Discuss a solution before going to trial. You will be redirected to the Province of Ontario’s website with instructions on how to find your information. 
  • Request for a Trial Option: Complete a Notice of Intention to Appear (NIA) in court to enter a plea of not guilty. Click here to proceed to Hastings County Provincial Offences online trial option.
  • Requests for Disclosure: Can be made once you have received your court notice for early resolution or trial. Your court notice will help you complete the required information fields when submitting your request. View Disclosure Request Form. 
  • Check Status of Tickets and Fines: You can check the status of your POA tickets, such as traffic tickets and fines, conveniently online. You can obtain the total payable when a fine is due to be paid. You will be redirected to the Province of Ontario’s website with instructions on how to find your information. 
  • Provincial Offences Office Court Feedback: Whether you wish to acknowledge a positive experience or make a suggestion for improvement, your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Your feedback will help us continue to offer high-quality service. Please take a few moments to share compliments, concerns, suggestions, and comments using our dedicated email: compliments@hastingscounty.com.  
     

Hastings County Provincial Offences Court Services is committed to providing an efficient, professional, and courteous customer service, and we are continually looking for ways to improve our standards and enhance the customer experience. If you have concerns with the service provided, we want to know. Please email Hastings County Feedback to submit a compliment for staff or a complaint regarding services received.
 

Please note that court services staff cannot comment on decisions made by the judiciary. For information on complaints involving the judiciary, please contact in writing or fax: 
 

The Justice of the Peace Review Council 
PO Box 914
Adelaide Street Postal Station 
31 Adelaide Street E. 
Toronto, ON
M5C 2K3
Fax: 416-327-2339


When a complaint has been filed, we will: 

  • Contact you to acknowledge receipt of your complaint, outline the complaint process, and provide contact details
  • Assess and investigate your complaint in a private and confidential manner, normally involving follow up with appropriate staff and a review of relevant policies, procedures, and laws
  • Respond within 15 business days of sending acknowledgment of receipt
  • Try to resolve it immediately if you are making a verbal complaint. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may be asked to put your complaint in writing to the manager
  • Commit to resolving problems as efficiently and effectively as possible in a fair and transparent manner. 
     

As printed on the reverse of your offence notice, if you do not exercise one of the options outlined below within 15 days of receiving this notice, you will be deemed to have not disputed the charge, and a conviction may be entered against you. A clerk of the court will review the certificate of offence for defectiveness before entering a conviction. 


Within 15 days of becoming aware of a conviction, you may apply for review by a Justice. If, after the review, you still receive a conviction, additional costs will be added to the total payable. If the fines go into default, an administrative monetary charge will be added to the total payable and steps will be taken to enforce your defaulted fine. For example, information may be provided to a consumer-reporting agency, and for certain offences, including speeding, your driver’s licence may be suspended. 


Please exercise one of the following options: 

  1. Option 1: Plea of Guilty: Voluntary payment of total payable. You are pleading guilty to the offence on your ticket and making payment of the total payable. Follow the instructions on the payment notice. 
  2. Option 2: Early Resolution-Meet with Prosecutor: By choosing this option, you do not forego the right to a trial. Early resolution with a prosecutor is to discuss the possible resolution of the charge. If you fail to attend the scheduled meeting, you will be deemed to have not disputed the charge and may be convicted in your absence. You can submit this request online or check the box under Option 2 on your ticket and mail it to the address provided on your ticket. 
  3. Option 3: Trial Option, Ontario Court of Justice, Provincial Offences Office: You do not have to attend in-person to request a trial. Request for trial can be made by completing the Notice of Intention to Appear (NIA) on your offence notice. Your trial may be scheduled by audio or video conference. You can submit your Option 3 request online or mail the NIA on your offence notice to the address provided on your ticket.

Please Note: If you fail to notify the court office of address changes, you may not receive important notices, e.g., your Notice of Trial. You may be convicted in your absence if you do not attend your early resolution meeting or trial. If you select Options 2 or 3 and submit your request by mail, you must send the entire offence notice to the court office address on your ticket. If you are unable to participate in your matter by electronic method or require an accommodation to do so, please contact Courts Administration by email at poa@hastingscounty.com or by phone: 613-966-0331.


If you choose Options 2 or 3, within 16 weeks a notice will be mailed to the address provided to the Courts Administration specifying the date, time, and location of your court appearance. Please contact us if you do not receive a notice within this time frame. 

You are required to pay the set fine plus the court cost and victim fine surcharge, as well as any other costs ordered by the courts. The tables below indicate the amount of the fines and the victim fine surcharges.


The victim fine surcharge is a legislative surcharge applied to all fines. The program provides victims and witnesses with courtroom orientation, information about the justice process, and court accompaniment. The program also seeks to act as a liaison on behalf of victims and witnesses with police and Crown, provide referrals to community agencies for counselling and / or other support services, provide a public-education and coordinating function for agencies and other government bodies within the community, and invite the participation of community members through the operation of an active volunteer program. 


The program operates on a priority system, and service is provided to those victims or witnesses who exhibit acute trauma. To date, the largest groups supported are victims and witnesses of domestic assault, sexual assault, and child abuse. 
 

Fine RangeVictim Fine Surcharge
$0 - $50$10
$51 - $75$15
$76 - $100$20
$101 - $150$25
$151 - $200$35
$201 - $250$50
$251 - $300$60
$301 - $350$75
$351 - $400$85
$401 - $500$110
$501 - $1000$125
Over $100025% of actual fine

 

The following costs are payable upon conviction: 

  • For service of offence notice or summons: $5.00
  • Upon conviction under section 9 of the Act: $5.00
  • Upon conviction under section 9.1 of the Act: $10.00
  • Upon conviction under section 18 of the Act as it read on August 13, 1993: $3.75
  • Upon conviction under subsection 18.2 (6) of the Act: $16.00
  • Upon conviction under section 18.4 of the Act: $12.75
  • Upon conviction under subsection 54 (1) of the Act: $30.00
  • For service of a parking infraction notice issued other than under a municipal by-law: $3.75
     

Resources 


To view the most recent Chief Justice’s orders, the revised Notice to Counsel, Paralegals, and the Public regarding Provincial Offences Act Matters in the Ontario Court of Justice, and the latest announcement regarding Provincial Offences Act Proceedings in the Ontario Court of Justice, please visit the links below:

Ontario Courts of Justice (English)
Ontario Courts of Justice (French)

Provincial Offences

Collections 

Supporting People

& Our Communities

Key Contacts

Debbie Cairns Headshot

Debbie Cairns

Manager of Provincial Offences

(613) 966-1311 ext. 3484
Email
Front entrance to the County of Hastings Administration Building

Courts Administration and Collections Clerks

613-966-1311 ext 3400
Email